Abstract: A manually controlled hydraulically driven round bale loading and transport system is self contained on a trailer that only need be moved by a pick-up truck or the like. It has a wide arc full control lifting mechanism that permits lifting a bale from the ground and about a 160.degree. arc to a storage rack. This permits a second bale to be held in the lifting mechanism. A pair of grasping arms has the respective arms disposed on each end of the bale by separate manual hydraulic controllable pivot action permits picking up bales directly from uneven terrain. Bales may be unrolled by a hydraulic motor from standstill position, but conventional unrolling on the ground is permissible. Hydraulic control valves are located to permit viewing each bale end as the respective grasping arms are manipulated and the bale partially lifted by one end to permit grasping on the center line for good balance and proper unrolling.